Intention to Vaccinate Against the Novel 2019 Coronavirus Disease: The Role of Health Locus of Control and Religiosity

• Published in: Journal of religion and health Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 65 - 80
• Main Authors: Olagoke, Ayokunle A., Olagoke, Olakanmi O., Hughes, Ashley M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-02-2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aging; Clinical Psychology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines - administration & dosage; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Immunization; Intention; Internal-External Control; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Paper; Public Health; Religion; Religious Studies; Vaccination - psychology; Vaccines; COVID-19; Health Locus of Control; Religiosity; Vaccination
• ISSN: 0022-4197; 1573-6571
• DOI: 10.1007/s10943-020-01090-9

The urgency to develop a vaccine against the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) has waxed stronger in speed, scale, and scope. However, wisdom dictates that we take a vantage position and start to examine the demographic predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to examine the role of health locus of control (HLOC) in the relationship between religiosity and COVID-19 vaccination intention. In a cross-sectional survey (N = 501), we found a significantly negative association between religiosity and COVID-19 vaccination intention. This relationship was partially mediated by external HLOC. Collaborative efforts with religious institutions may influence COVID-19 vaccine uptake.